Bottle capping machine



Oct. 17, 1933. B. F. DAVIS l-:r AL '1,931,434

BOTTLE GAPPING MACHE Filed Dec. 26, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 17, 1.933. B. F DAvls Er A1.

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Deo. 26. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 -5| i, J. Z z, 2 Y@ 55.1.# Tiri a .Ql .lwHHll, 1 i l l 1 a l i l |l @mi A/l qv OC- 17, 1933- B. F DAvls Er AL BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE Filed Deo. 26, 1930 Sheets-Sheet 3 OC- 17, 1933- B. F. DAVIS ET AL BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE l Filed Dec. 26, 1930 @Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 17, 1933. B, F. DAVIS ET Al.

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 26 1930 74 I, Wm

D u 0 z Mmmm H//f .Pf l I@ 1 m72@ .adm M Oct. 17, 1933. B. F, DAvls ET A1.

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 26 1930 Patented ct. la7', 14933 i 1,931,434 y l BOTTLE CAPPING "MACHINE Benjamin F. Davis, Minneapolis, and Walter'H.`

Riedel, White Bear Lake, Minn.

`Application December26, 1913i)` ASerial No. 504,716

25 Claims.

This invention relates tobottle capping ;ma

chines and is particularly designed asan iin-` provement on the machine for theabove disclosed and claimed in the Benjamin F. Davis application for United States Letters Patent of the same title, filed May 28, 1930 under' Serial Number 456,442.

In said prior machine and the present"ma chine the same are designed for forming-a cap, especially for milk and cream bottles, of `the type having a depressed central portion anda sani-A tary marginal flange arranged4 to extend outward over` the rim of the neckof" abottle to` which it is applied and covers the same and in applying the formed cap to a bottle.

In the prior machine, however, caps are formed and discharged whether or not there is a bottle positioned to be capped, thus causing a large number of caps to be wasted for the reason that there is necessarily more or less interruption inthe feeding of bottles to the machine while the action thereof is continuous.

Our present invention is directed to the formation of a cap and its discharge, only when a bottle is positioned to be capped, thus preventing waste. Said invention is further directed to the straight line feeding of cap blanks to cap forming dies and from said dies to a cap applying device and other important objects, as will hereinafter appear. i f

To the above' end, generally stated, the invention consists ofthe novel *devicesV and com-V binations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims. 1 In the accompanying drawings, which 'illus- Atrate the invention, like charactersindicatelike parts throughout the. several views.

Referring to the drawings; Fig. l is a View in side elevation of twin cap forming and bottle capping heads applied to y)the reciprocatory vertical shaft and guide vposts of a bottle filling machine;

Fig. 2 is a view correspondingto Fig. 1 with the exception that the twin heads are in bottle capping position, some parts being (L'agrammatically illustrated by means of broken lines;

Fig.Y 3 is a view partly in side elevation and f partly in central vertical sectiontaken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 5, with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 1;

Figlfi is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 butl Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the" cap forming dies vand capping device positioned, as shown in l and v3;

Fig.V 7 is a View corresponding to Fig. 6 but' showing the parts positionedas shown in Figs. 2 and';

Fig. S is a fragmentary detail view showing the driven crankfor reciprocating the vertical shaft of the bottle capping machine; y

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the frame for the twin heads on a reduced scale;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the" heads with ,certain parts removed;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view `of the operating mechanism .for oneof the movable diesg. i

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary bottom'perspective View of one of the capping heads shown in Fig. 1U;

Fig. 13.is a fragmentary detail view in section taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 3, on anenlarged scale; i

Fig. 14` is a perspectiveview of one of the cap applying plungers;;

Fig. l5 is a detail view in` section taken 011 the line 15--15 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail View with some parts sectioned on the'line 16.-16 of Fig. 5;` and Fig. 1 7 is aside elevation of the parts-shown in Fig. 16. -1 n The present invention may be designed as an individual cap forming and bottlecapping machine or it may be embodied in a bottle filling machine, as illustrated, fand wherein the twin ybottle capping heads of the commercial machine are removed and the machine of this invention substitutedtherefore. O f the parts of the commercial bottle filling machine shown, certain of which are only diagrammatically. illustrated, it is important to note Vthe feed table 20, vertical movable shaft 2l` and a pair of fixed upright guideposts 2 2. Said guide posts'22,"wl1ich `extend upright through the feed table 20 are connected by `-upperand lower tie members 23 which have split clamping collarsv24 through which, the guiderposts 22 eX- tend and said collars friotionally clamp thereon. Theshaft 21, which is midway between the guide posts 2'2 and parallel thereto, is mounted for endwise reciprocatory movement in bearings 25 :formed with` thetie members 23l intermediate of their ends. The shaft 21 is reciprocated Y from a driven shaft 26 under the table 20 by'a crank ZZthereon and connectedby a link 28 to the lower endof said shaft 21, see Fig. 8. v

A cross-head 29 is slidably mounted onV the lguide posts 22 andhas a recessed seat 30 kfor a twin capping head, not "shown, secured by a pair of nut-equipped bolts 3l to said cross-head. This cross-head 29 is secured to the shaft" 21` for relative longitudinal adjustment by va long, screw-rod 32,A the upper end of which is turnably mounted in a bearing bracket 33'1`on lthe upper V"end of saidV shaft,` held thereby againstdl?,

-In the under side of the base 36, in axial alignment with the cap applying cylinder 40, is a cap passageway 72,. below said passageway is a downwardly diverging bottle centering surface 73 and at the top of said surface `is an annular stop shoulder 74 arranged to engage the ltop of a bottle positioned thereunder to hold the capping head against further downward movement and support the same, see Fig. 4.

By manipulating the screw-rod 32 the capping head may be positioned, at will, for bottles of different heights. During the downward movement of the capping head by the shaft 21 the centering surface 73 first engages a positioned bottle and centers the same, if out of center, and thereafter the shoulder 74 engages the top of said bottle, stops further downward movement of the head and supports the same on the bottle whichbecomes a base of resistance c is raised, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, said head is connected to the frame 44 for common movement therewith by the pairs Vof, lock elements 45, 46 and 47, the ejectorfslide 50 is projected and the stack of cap blanks Y rest thereon, a cap blank Y is on the lower die 64 and' a cap Z is in the cap applying cylinder 40, see Figs. 1 and 3. It is important to note that the frame 44 at each lock notch 47 is provided with a ver-tical cam surface which projects upward from said notch and with a horizontal trip shoulder 76 that projects outward from the lower side of said notch, see Fig. 1. When the cam rollers 46 are in thelock notches 47 4the axes of said rollers are substantially in the plane of the cam surfaces 75 and the trip shoulders 76 downward movement of the frame 44 is continued by the shaft 21 which causes the frame 44, at the lower ends of the cam surfaces 75',.to engage the rollers 46 and swing the bell-cranks 45 from their positions, shown in Fig. 1, into their This movement of the bell-cranks 45, acting through the links 54, retract the ejector lslide 50 from under the stack of cap blanks Y and allows said stack to drop onto the base 36 and thereby position the lowermost of said blanks in the notch 53 of said slide. c

The following connections are provided for projecting the movable die 63 for cooperation with the fixed die 64 to form the cap Z, after the downward movement of the capping head has been stopped by abottle positioned to be capped and during further downward movement of theframe 44, in respect to said-head', to wit: A' pair of laterally spaced lbell-cranks 77 is mounted between a pair of upright ears 78` on the block 37 and rigidly secured at their apexes to a rock-shaft 79A turnably mountedV in said ears, see Figs. 3 and 11. The long arms of the bell-cranks 77 are connected by av longitudinally adjustable link 80 to the horizontal or top member'of a two-part T-post 81 on the frame 44 between the inner ways 43 of the` two"pairs, see Fig. 9.

A short heavy bifurcated plunger-acting -arm 82 is pivoted to and.- between the'shortiarms of the bell-cranks 77 for action., on the movablek die 63. The connection between the arm 82l and the die .63 is loose and .includes a' relatively large anti-friction roller 83 journaled to and between the. prongs of said arm and a relatively small anti-friction roller 84 journaled to and between a pair of upstanding bearing lugs 85 .on a heavy screw-plug 86 in the top ofthe die 63 at the axis thereof. It will be noted that the long arms of the bell-cranks 77 and the link 80 and' the short arms of said bell-cranks and the arm 82 vform reversely acting compound toggle levers 87 and 88, respectively. By turning the screwplug 86 in the die63 the projectingmovement of the die 63 by the toggle levers 87 and 88 may be varied, at will, to ,adjustV the die 63 in respect to the die 64 for wear and different thick-` nesses of cap blanks Y.

A transverse horizontal guide bar 89 is provided for directing the roller 83 downward on the rollerl84 and which bar is rigidly secured to the bearinglugs 85-above the roller 84'and in front of thecroller 83, see Fig. 3. The end portions of the guide bar 89 work in vertical slots end to the rock-shaft 79 andat its other end to the guide bar 89 is provided for retracting the movable die 63 and holding` the same retracted, as will presently appear..v The bar89, is, in the particular example illustrated, preferablyremovably secured to the ears 85, as by machine screws, to permit the hereinbeforedescribed adjustment of plug 86.',

its roller 83 above the roller 84 and slightly out Normally the arm 82 isyieldingly held'with of contact therewith by a transverse bar 92 and aVv pair of cooperating flat springs 93. This bar 92 is loosely mounted at its'end portions on`a pair of horizontal headed studs 94 anchored to the ears 78at their inner upright edges and the springs 93, which are upright, are anchored at their lower ends to the block`37 andftheirY upper end portions bear against the bar 93 near the ends thereof and normally hold the same pressed againstsaid ears and with the arm 82 resting thereon, see Fi'gsrc and 10.

Normally thetoggle levers v87 and 88 Aare buckled and are straightened to project the movable die 63 during the downward movement of the frame 44 by the shaft 21 after .the downward movement of the head has been stopped by a bottle in capping position. During the straightening movement of the vtoggle lever 88 the roller 83 engages 'the guide bar 89 and is directedlthereby downward onto the roller 84 and during the final straightening movement of slipsrfrom the roller 84 the arm 82is moved..

' xed die with a io..-

which means, as shown, includes a pair or" hori- Y These levers 95 Vis against the positioning pins 71.

outward thereby, engages the bar 92', presses the same outwardand thereby places thesprings 93 under tension and held back oi the roller 84. During the upward movement of the vtrarne 44 and prior to the upward movement oi the capping head the ytoggle levers A87 and 88 are buckled by the movement of said frame in respect to said This bucklingmovement of `the toggle levers 87 lift the roller 83 above the roller 84 and at which time thetensioned springs 93 swings thefarm' 82 into a position, as shown in Fig. 3l f While the spring 91 has sufiicient tension to retract the movable die 63 it is desirable to have positive means for ed cap therebetween and aontally disposed bent levers 95. extend transversely under the end portions of the guide bar -outward of Vthe ears 78, are fulcrumed at their forward ends to said ears andr their inner ends are connected by links 96 to the pivot connecting the members of the toggle lever Adjustable abutments 97 on the levers 95 are provided for directly engaging the guide bar 89,

2. These abutments 97, as'

mally the abutnients 97 are out of contact withV the guide bar 89 and during the proecting movement of the movablerdie 63 the buckling `movenientV of the toggle lever 87 moves the levers 95 in advance of the downwardly moving guide bar 89 and positions the abutments 97 slightly below said bar when the die 63 is in a cap forming position. v

During' the initial upward movement oi the frame 44, the straightening of the toggle lev r 87 lifts the levers 95, carries the abutments 97 into contactV withthe guide bar 89; and thereby imparts the initial lifting movement to the movdie 63k and separates the same from the fixed die 64 and thereafter the tensioned springr 91 Vcompletesthe return movement of said movable die. v

During the lifting' movement of the frame 44 the cam surfaces move out ofcontact with.

the rollers 46 and 'at which'time the trip shoulders 76 engage said Yrollers move the bell-cranks 45 on their ulcrurns in a direction to swingV their long arms toward the guide posts 22. This cap blank Y its notch 53 endwise through the passageway 49 into the die cylinder 39 and At thersame time the formed cap Z in the die cylinder 39 moved edgewise from the xed die 64 through a passageway 98, in the wall of the block 37 between the die cylinder 39 and capapplying cylinder 40, and'into the cylinder 40 where thek .l same is centered application to a bottle positioned thereunder.

To support a cap Z in the cylinder 40, there is formed in the 'block 37 a pair oi shallow grooves 99 which extend through said passageway and into the `cylinder, 40 to rsubstantially the center thereof at diametrically opposite points. The walls oi these grooves 99, which are very shallow, extend into the cylinder 4i)v and support a cap Z. at dianietrically opposite points on-its ange and for a very shortl distance, see Fig. 13. f I

separating said die fromthe By reference to 3 it will be noted that the diameter of the lower' portion of the cylinder 40 in which the grooves 99 are formed, is slightly larger than that kof the major portion oi said cylinder so that thev sides of said groovesdo not extend beyond the internal face of said major portion oi thecylinder 40V.

A cap Z in the cylinder,40 supported inthe grooves 99 is applied to a bottle positioned thereunder by means of a plunger 100 mounted in the cylinder 40. The lower lend Vof the plunger 100 is. shaped to enter the depressed central por-V shoulder that engages the iiange of the cap Z 3 and presses the same onto the top of the bottle, see Fig. 3. y

The plunger lis provided with an upstand- `ing stem 101 which wor is through aligned openings in the top of the cylinder 40 and 'in the top member of the post 81. A stop collar 102 on the upper end of they stem V101 by itsengagement with the top member of the post 81' limits the downward movement kof the plunger 100 and Vnormally supports the same therefrom.

Enoircling thestern 101` is a coiled spring 103 compressed between. a' collar 104 on said stem and the top member of the post 81 and normally holds the plunger 100 projected. n

To prevent ran applied cap from beingliited by suction from a capped bottle during theretracting vr-:iov-ement of the plunger 100`diametrircally extended air grooves 105 are formed inv the bottom oi said plunger, see Fig. 14.

Simultaneously with the moving of a cap blanli Y by the ejector slide 50 from the cylinder 38 to the die cylinder 39 the formed cap Z in the die cylinder 89 is moved through the passageway 98 and into the cap applying cylinder 40 by a horizontal ejector blade 106 which eX- tends transversely of the direction of travel of the ejector slide 50. This ejectorrblade 106 is mounted in the transverserportion of a U-frame 107 on the ejector rslide 50,k extends forward thereof, and holds the ejector `blade 106 posivtioned to engage a cap Z at its side walls,` see Fig. 6. It willnbe noted that the ejector blade 106 in the transverse portion of the frame 107 is positionedsuficiently high above .the base 36 to freely pass overa cap blank Yon the lower.

die 64 and positioning pins` 71. vDuring the movement of a cap Z by the ejector blade 106 from the cylinder 39 to the cylinder 40 itsl outturned ilange enters the grooves 99 which.

guides said .cap into the cylinder 40 and support the same.' l l From the above description it is evident that when there is no Abottle under either of theV ping heads the downward movement ofv said head positions the same on the bottle and is supported thereby. AtI the time 'the downward movement of the head is stopped by-a positioned bottle, further down'ivard movement oi the vframe 44 by the shaft 21 actuates the bell-cranks 45 andrreleases said frame vfrom lthe head.v This 'carried upward thereby.

movement ofthe bell-cranks 45,1etracts the ejector slide 50 and the ejector blade 106 and positions the same, as shown in Fig. 4.

Continued downward movement of the frame 44 in respect to the head straightens lthe toggle levers 87 and 88 which projects the die ,63 for cooperation with the die 64 andV forms a cap from the blank thereon. The downward movement of the framey 44 in respect to the head brings the plunger 100 into engagement with the cap in the cylinder 40 and presses the samey onto the positioned bottle. Further downward movement of the plunger 100 isrthus arrested and becomes a base of resistance for the spring 103 andcontinued downward movement of the frame 44 will compress saidspring 103,l increase the ,g tension thereof and moreV rmly force the plunger 180 onto the cap and complete the seating thereof on the bottle.

The initial return or upward movement of -the frame 44 by the shaft 21 in respect to the head first buckles the toggle levers 87 and 88 which, together with the spring pressed bar 94, resets the armv82 and thereafter the rollers 46 are engaged by the trip shoulders '76 which again connect the head to the frame44 to be The initial upward movement of the head by the frame 44 operates the levers 95 whichpositively impart the initial return movement to the movable die 63 and release the same from the fixeddie 64. At this time the die block 66 is returned to normal position by the spring 69 which lifts ,the formed cap from the die ring 65and ,the stripper 74 removes the formed cap from Vthe upwardly moving die 63 so thatY said cap loosely rests on the then elevated die block 66. The Vmove-- ment of the levers by the upwardly moving i trip shoulders 76 project the ejector Vslide 50 and the ejector blade 106, the former of which moves a cap blank in the cylinder'38 onto the fixed die 64 and the, latter of whichv moves .the formed cap on said die into the cap applying cylinder 40. v

What we claim is: A

A1. In a machine ofthe class described,..two members having an operative stroke 4together toward and from the bottle tobe capped, one of said members adapted to abut the bottle to be capped, the other member beingrelativelymovable with respect thereto, ,capr forming'dies, a cap applying device, and `automatic operating f means set in motion bythe continued 'movement ofone of said members when'the othermember is halted by a bottle head in bottle capping position, to feed a cap blankto thedies, torfeed a cap from thedies to the cap applying device and to cause the cap applying device toapply the cap to the bottle. I

2. In a machine of the classfdescribed'a cap applying device, dies for forming a cap with la depressed centrallportion and an outstandingi flange, means for feeding a cap blank tothe dies, positioning means for centering a cap `blank in respect to the dies and .frictionally the cylinder'between the positioned bottle and cap applying device, `and' means for simultanev ouslyfeeding a capblankA to the dies and a formed cap fromv the dies to the cap holdingA means in thecylinder.Y

of cap forming dies, one of which is relatively fixed and the other of which is relatively movable, automatic means'set in action by aA bottle sof on' the frame and having a cap applying device, v

and lock mechanism normally holding the head 'for common reciprocatory movement with the frame,'said`head adapted to be stopped on `its downward stroke with said frame by engage.

ment with the bottle head to be capped while said frame completes its stroke, said lock mechanism being adapted to automatically release the Y ciprocating the frame, a head movably mounted on the frame and having a lcap applying device,"

and lock mechanismnormally holding the-head for commonV reciprocatory movement with the frame, said head adapted to seat down Von a bottle head in capping positionwhile said framef continues its downward stroke, said lock-mecha-v nism being Yadapted Vto automatically 'release the head from the frame by .a movement of the frame in respect to the head when said head is in its cap applying position, and to automati- 'i cally -connect the head to the framerduring the upward movement of .theframe o v 7,: In a machine of the cla-ss described, a frame mountedv for" vertical movement, meansforreciprocatingv 4,thel frame, a headhaving a 'caps applying device movably mounted on the frame andv normally held for common reciprocatory movement therewith, said head adapted' to be relatively halted on `its downward strokeby the bottleV head` in bottle capping position, afpairfp;

of cap forming diesV onthe head, one of which is` relatively movable, and means` for operating `the movable Vdie including a bell-crank'pivoted to the head, a link connectingone varmzof the Vbell-crank to the frame` and anarm on the otherarm of the bell-crank and operative on the movable die, said bell-crank, link andarm being arranged to form compound toggle levers,

varranged to be straightened by a downward movement of the framewhen the head is in aV cap applying position to move the movable dieU into an'operative position andfbe straightened by the initialV upward movement of the frame-in respect to the head.

material plugs in bottle ymouths to seal the same, embodyinga holder for `fiat :'blanks; dies for forming such blanks one by one into lsaid plugs; plug applying meansv forv seating such plugs in bottle mouths including a receiverifor formed-,-

' 8;4 A machine for seating dishedl flexible-sheetnlli l plugs; a carrier forsaid holder, dies,l and receiver; operating means for `bringing together said carrier and a bottle for insertingplugs-.in Y

the bottle mouth and for separatinglthe carrier i `80 4. In almachine of the class described, a pair tle mouth;

blanks to said dies and formed plugs from said dies to said receiver; mechanisms for actuating sa`fl"delivering means Vand said dies and plug applying means; and means to forcibly engage a vbottle head present in `plug receiving position to bring said mechanisms into operative relation, whereby said mechanisms remain'inactive if no bottle is present in plug receiving position.

9. A machine for making'and seating annuarly flanged and dished plug caps in bottle mouths, embodying plug cap forming means, plug cap applying means for seating the plug cap in a bottle Vmouth and provided with annular meansfor pressing the flange oi the in-V serted plug cap dov/n on the top lip or the botv means forv successively delivering formed plug caps from said forming Ymeans to applying means; mechanism for forcibly bringing together a bottle head and said applying means and for separating the same; and

actuating means for said forming means and said applying means to operate theV same to make a cap and to apply a cap while said tie head and applying means are under'contacting pressure engagement bythe powerV of said mechanism and to release a completed cap and deliver the same to said applying means while said applying means and bottle head are separating,

'mechanism including a cap blank holder',

said mechanism and with. respect to the re-Y mainder of said mechanism; devices set in operation bythe continued movement of said mechanism when said relatively movable means is halted by-a bottle, to cause said dies to' forma -cap and, to cause said cap applying meansvto apply acap to said bottle, and devices brought into 'action on the relative return strokey of said mechanismto feed ya blank from the holder Y to said dies and a formed cap from said dies to said Acap applying means.

11. In bottle capping apparatus, in combination, a capping head movable on its capping and return strokes in cooperative relationto aY bottle Ain capping position, and embodying ai member and a carrier, saidmember 4and carrier being relatively movable when Ya bottle is in. cooperative capping position;

forming a shaped cap from flat sheet material,

means for delivering the shaped capri-rom sais Vvdie mechanism into bottle capping relation to, said applying means; and operating mechanisi'nsr between said carrier and member'fory actuating said die mechanism and said shaped cap deliverf .ing means, when a bottle to be capped is present in capping position and cooperating relationV to said head. c

12. In a bottle capping machine, in combination, a capping head having means for actuatment-constituting bottle at capping position,

said head Aprovided with cushioned yielding bot-` tle centering and shaped cap applying means mechanism applied to said carrier for actuatingy said 1 onits said strokes; said head provided' with shaped cap-applying means, die mechanism'forl adapted to exert downward yielding pressure on said bottlewhile saidv head is cenlpletin'g its capping stroke and While beginning its return stroke; a holder forflat cap blanks; die mechanism Yfor shaping a blank into a shaped bottle cap; feed means'for delivering a blank from said holder to said die mechanism; an ejector for delivering a yshaped cap from the die mechanism into position for capping by said applying means; 'and mechanisms operative with the cooperating assistance of a bottle in capping position, to cause capping of such bottle, delivery Uffa Shaped cap to said applying means, delivery v ing means, a bottle head receiving andv cente icc ing mouth, and devices for delivering a blank to said die mechanism and a-cap from the die mechanism vto the cap applying means; Yand means actuated by said relative movement for actuating said die mechanism and said devices.

14. in a machine for shaping and applying bottle caps; in combination; dies for contracting and shaping a iiat'blank into a cap having a depressed central portion and an annular outstanding top flange; means for separately 'feeding such blanks to said dies; a cap Yapplying device; means for separately delivering Ysaid shaped caps from the dies to said applying `device; and positioning means for centering each blank with respect tosaid dies including spaced upstanding membersY beside the dies land 1ocated at opposite'sides of the center line oi movement of the 'blanksl to the dies, theldistance between said members `being slightly less than theV diameter vof said blanks ibut suflicient yfor. the passage of the caps shaped from such Vfblanks.

Y15.. In a machine for shaping and applying bottle caps, in combination; die mechanism for producing a capclwith a depressed centralportion Yand an outstanding flange; a cylinder; a cap applying device in the cylinder; means for centering a bottle to be capped .with respect to saidcylinder; means for holding a cap centeredv insaid cylinder above the bottle and below said device, said cap holding means including a ypair of spaced ledges extendingy from said die mech- -anism into said cylinder, the -cap flange resting on and slidable along said ledges; and cap feed- L turn 'movement tothe movable die; and means whereby said automatic means after each bottle capping operation, actuates ysaid positive' lli) iso'

.Y by a bottle in capping position for moving the i movable die into operativerelation to the other` l die; positive means for imparting the initial re- Ving'the same on its capping and return strokes -to and from cooperating relation with an abutnient yof the movable die.

into ran operative position; positive means for imparting the initial return movement to the movable die; and a spring placed under tension by the operative movement of the movable die for returning the movable die to its inoperative position.

18. In a bottle capping machine; in combination; a pair of cap forming dies, -one of which is relatively xed andthe other relatively'movable to and from operative and inoperative relation with respect to said xed die; automatic means set in action by a bottle in capping position for moving the movable die into an operative position including a screw threaded connection with said movable die by which the operative stroke of said movable die in respect to the xed die can be varied; and positive means for imparting the initial return movement to the movable die.

19. In combination, in a bottle capping machine, a pair of cap forming dies, one of which is relatively xed and the other relatively movable on its operative and return strokes; automatic means set in action by a bottle in capping position for moving the movable die on its operative stroke, including a toggle mechanism whereby said means is self-releasing with respect to the movable die on the completion or" its operative stroke; and means for actuating said movable die on its return stroke.

20. In combination, in a bottle capping machine; a pair of cooperating cap forming dies, one of which is relatively movable on its operative and return strokes; automatic means set in action by a bottle in capping position for moving the movable die on its operative stroke, said means being self-releasing with respect to said movable die on the completion of each operative stroke thereof; meansbeing provided for automatically resetting said automatic means` with respect to said movable die; and means for actuating said movable dieon its return strokes.

2l. In combination, in a bottle capping machine; a frame mounted for vertical movement; means for reciprocating the frame; movably mounted on the frame and provided with a cap applying device; lock mechanism normally holding the head to reciprocation with the frame, said head adapted to seat down on a bottle head in capping position while said frame continues its downward stroke, said lock mechanism being adapted to automatically release said head from the frame by movement of the frame relatively to the head and to automatically connect the head to the frame during frame upward movement; cooperating cap forming dies relatively movable to and from operative relation; and means controlled by relative movement between the headand frame for causing operative relative die movement.

22. In a bottle capping machine, the combination of die mechanism for shaping blanks into bottle caps; a cap applying device; a reciprooatory frame; means for reciprocating said frame; a capping head movably mounted with respect to said frame; lock mechanism normally holding said head to reciprocation with said frame, said head adapted to seat down on a bottle in capping position while said frame cona head` a 7 tinu'es on its downward stroke, said lock mechanism adapted to release said head from the frame by movement of the frame relatively to l the head and to again connect the head to the frame during frame return movement; means controlled by relative movement between the frame and head for operating said die mechanism; and means actuated by said lock mechanism for feeding cap blanks to said die mechanism and caps from the die'mechanism to said capV applying device.

23. In a bottle capping machine, the combination of a cap applying device; cap formingr dies having operative and returnV relative movements; 4a reciprocatory frame; meansV for recipand an operative connection from the bell crank `to actuate the dies, said bell crank, linkfand levers connection forming compound toggle straightened .by continued downward movement of the ,frame when the head is halted by a bottle; and positioning means actuated by the straightening of said toggle levers to impart the initial die return movement.

24. In combination, in a bottle capping machine, a cap applying device; relatively fixedA movable die by the relative movements between the head and frame, including a bell crank and pivotal linkV connection between the frame and head forming a toggle, said bell crank having an operative connection with said movable die,

said connection being self-releasing to limit the operative stroke of the movable die.

25. In combination, in a bottle capping machine, a capA applying device; relatively, xed and movable cap forming dies; a reciprocatory frame; means for reciprocating the same; a capping head normally held to reciprocation with said frame; means whereby said head is adapted to be relatively halted by a bottle in capping position while said frame continues on its downward stroke and wherebyl said frame vpicks up said head as said frame returns on its upward s stroke; means for actuating said movable die by the relative movements between the head and frame, including a bell crank and pivotal'link connection between the frame and head forming a toggle, said bell crank having an operative connection with Ysaid movable die, said connection being self-releasing to limit' the operative stroke of the movable die; said connection being also adjustable to vary the operative stroke of the movable die With respect to its cooperating die. l

` BENJAMIN F.A DAVIS.

WALTER H. RIEDEL.

lori 

